Falcons to battle Ghana in pre-WAFCON friendly

As the 14th Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) approaches, set to kick off in Morocco next Sunday, African football powerhouses are fine-tuning their strategies. Among them, reigning champions Nigeria's Super Falcons are scheduled to engage in a crucial international friendly against West African rivals Ghana in Casablanca. This preparatory fixture is designed to sharpen the team's cohesion and tactical execution ahead of their title defence, providing a vital test against a formidable opponent before the tournament officially begins. Such pre-tournament encounters are indispensable for coaches to assess squad depth, experiment with formations, and ensure players are in peak physical and mental condition for the demanding competition ahead. Simultaneously, Zambia's beloved Copper Queens are also deep in their own rigorous preparations for WAFCON 2026. Having secured their qualification and unveiled a strong 26-player squad, the Copper Queens are poised to challenge for continental glory in Morocco. They are placed in a highly competitive Group C, which includes the formidable Super Falcons of Nigeria, Egypt, and fellow Southern African nation Malawi. This grouping sets the stage for thrilling encounters, with Zambia widely regarded as a team capable of upsetting established hierarchies and making a deep run in the tournament. The Copper Queens have demonstrated remarkable growth in recent years, becoming the first landlocked African nation to qualify for a senior FIFA World Cup in either gender in 2023, and securing their spot at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Their consistent presence on the international stage, coupled with the emergence of world-class talents like Barbra Banda and Rachael Kundananji, underscores their ambition. The team's participation in WAFCON is not merely about adding numbers; it is a serious bid for the trophy, with players and coaching staff focused on delivering a historic performance. These preparatory friendlies and training camps are c